Jonathan Byrd

Jonathan Byrd is a competitive powerlifter, with over 15 years of training experience.  Byrd has been ranked nationally for the past 6 years under multiple categories.  His total has ranked as high as third nationally in the 308 class.

He currently has a best total of 2450lbs. Best individual lifts include a 1040lb squat, a 705lb bench press, and 730lb deadlift.  His 1040lb squat ranks him 26th all-time squats at the 308 class.

Jonathan currently trains out of Team Samson Gym in Jacksonville, FL.

Before powerlifting Jonathan was a college athlete at Methodist University as both an all-conference football player and track athlete.  Following graduation he played four years of arena football in various leagues.

Big Workout Plan e-book

Rapidly increase your strength using the BIG strength training system created by top ranked powerlifter Jonathan Byrd.

The idea of the BIG program is simple, lift heavy weights with compound movements, and use accessory lifts to target weak points. Even if you decided the BIG program isn’t for you, it’s the idea of moving big weight to get stronger that I hope sticks with you.

Before you begin the BIG program, I want you to think about what you want your end result to be. If you are looking to magically add 40lbs to your bench over 10 weeks, you may be in the wrong place. I am not saying that those things can’t happen, but realistically that is not the norm for ANY program.

If I told you that during the max portion of the program each of your lifts only went up a total of 15lbs each, would you be disappointed? What if I told you that you would only gain a pound a week on your lifts, would you then also be disappointed?

Think about that for a minute. This increase would be 52lbs a year per lift. Would you not be happy to add 50lbs a year to each lift?

I say all this to be clear: NO program is magic. All programs take time to make gains, and this one is no different.

If you start with a number you “think” you can do, it could force you to spend a lot of time trying to hit numbers that just will not happen. The goal is to improve your projected working max over the next 10 weeks. Nothing wrong with starting light and progressing as needed.

The program is broken down over the course of 10 weeks of training. Read more.